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New Report Proves the Importance of Early Childhood Programs in Preparing Kids for Success at School
9/8/2008
Today, a new report was released demonstrating the critical importance of early childhood programs for our nation’s children. The report, written by Julia B. Isaacs, Child and Family Policy Fellow at the Brookings Institution, finds that effective early childhood programs are instrumental in ensuring that young children enter school with the cognitive and behavioral skills needed to achieve academic success. These programs also address gaps in skills at early ages, providing children from low income families an equal opportunity to achieve the American Dream.
Published by First Focus and the Brookings Institution, the report, entitled Impacts of Early Childhood Programs, summarizes existing evidence on several early childhood interventions and their impact on children and families. The report finds that most early childhood programs have had positive impacts on children’s emotional and behavioral outcomes, including long-term reductions in criminal behavior, improvements in children’s health and safety, and positive impacts on children’s parents.
“Every American child deserves a solid foundation in life, one that nurtures healthy development and cultivates their curiosity. Research proves that investing in early childhood programs not only starts children out on the right foot, but is cost-effective in long term returns,” said Bruce Lesley, President of First Focus, a bipartisan children’s advocacy organization. “Indeed, this report simply verifies what we already know, that early childhood programs of all kinds have positive outcomes for children across a broad demographic spectrum.”
Specific findings include:
• State pre-kindergarten programs have positive impacts on children’s cognitive skills, including both pre-reading and pre-math skills.
• Children enrolled in the Head Start program are more familiar with letters, are better at naming colors, and have higher vocabularies than children who did not participate in the program.
• Children enrolled in Early Head Start programs are more likely to visit a doctor for treatment of an illness and to receive immunizations.
• Center-based programs that provide early care and education have strong effects on school outcomes, including reductions in special education placement, grade retention, and increases in high school graduation.
• Nurse home visiting programs result in a variety of positive impacts on families, including reductions in welfare and food stamp use, increased maternal employment, more father involvement, and less domestic violence.
“Early investment in children, before they enter kindergarten, can pay off for both the child and society.” Said author, Julia Isaacs.
Lesley added, “However, despite increases federal spending over the past five years, the share of spending going to children’s programs, including early childhood programs, has dropped dramatically. As the 2008 elections approach, voters must hold politicians accountable to once again make children a priority.”
Children’s Budget 2008, a recent report published by First Focus, found that only one penny of every new, non-defense dollar spent by the federal government has gone to children and children’s programs. Federal investments in early child care and education are even less significant and, in fact, funding for many such programs has decreased in the last five years. For example, funding for Head Start and Early Head Start
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